We have just the right
therapist for you in Chicago

What it is: A collaborative, client-led approach grounded in empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive regard. You set the pace; we track with you—no judgment, no power plays.

What it looks like at Marra: Conversational sessions with reflective listening, clarifying questions, and gentle challenge when you’re ready.

Skills you will build: Self-trust, emotional awareness, boundary clarity, confident decision-making

What it is: A practical, skills-based model for managing big emotions and tough relationships without burning bridges—with yourself or others.

What it looks like at Marra: Bite-size skills taught in session, real-life reps between sessions, handouts, scripting, and feedback loops.

Core tools: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness, diary cards.

Skills you will build: Regulating emotions, riding out urges, communicating needs, setting limits, crisis planning you’ll actually use.

What it is: A compassionate model that sees you as a system of “parts” led by your core Self—calm, curious, and wise. We help parts unblend so you’re driving, not your triggers.

What it looks like at Marra: Guided exercises to meet parts, understand their jobs, and release burdens—paced for safety and consent.

Skills you will build: Internal leadership, self-compassion, flexible responding, reduced reactivity, clearer choices.

What it is: Training your attention to the present moment with a nonjudgmental stance. It’s practical brain hygiene—reducing autopilot, widening your window of tolerance, and creating space between trigger and response.

What it looks like at Marra: Short, repeatable practices in session and micro-practices you can use in real life (60-second resets, mindful pauses before tough conversations). We integrate mindfulness with CBT, DBT, IFS, and attachment work so it’s not just calm—it’s actionable.

Skills you will build: Attention control, nervous-system downshifting, tolerating discomfort.

What it is: We start with what’s working—your values, skills, and wins—and scale it. Not toxic positivity; just leverage.

What it looks like at MARRA: Goal-aligned sessions that surface strengths, track progress, and turn momentum into habits.

Skills you will build: Confidence, momentum, resilience, self-efficacy, practical goal execution.

What it is: An evidence-based framework connecting thoughts, feelings, and actions. We test unhelpful thinking against reality and design new habits that stick.

What it looks like at Marra: Structured sessions, thought records, behavioral experiments, and graded exposure when appropriate.

Skills you will build: Realistic thinking, mood stabilization, habit formation, effective problem-solving, personalized coping plans.

What it is: A trauma-focused approach that helps the brain reprocess “stuck” memories using bilateral stimulation so the charge comes down and your system updates to the present.

What it looks like at Marra: Standardized EMDR phases—prep and resourcing, target mapping, reprocessing, re-evaluation—prioritizing safety and consent. In person or telehealth with adapted bilateral stimulation.

Skills you will build: Grounding under stress, embodied safety cues, adaptive belief updating, steadier day-to-day regulation.

What it is: An attachment-based model that transforms negative interaction cycles into secure connection. We slow conflict, surface core emotions, and build a safer bond so you can reach for each other instead of react.

What it looks like at MARRA: We map your pursue/withdraw patterns, de-escalate hot moments, and guide bonding conversations that create new, secure scripts. Structured stages: de-escalation → restructuring interactions → consolidation.

Skills you will build: Co-regulation under stress, vulnerability that lands, responsive attunement (A.R.E.: accessible, responsive, engaged), reliable repair after ruptures, a felt sense of safety and closeness.

What it is: A research-backed framework (the Sound Relationship House) that strengthens friendship, manages conflict, and builds shared meaning. It’s practical, measurable, and habit-driven.

What it looks like at Marra: Assessment and feedback (questionnaires + live observation), a clear plan, and weekly skill reps. We practice interventions in session and set simple rituals you can sustain at home.

Skills you will build: Productive conflict without escalation, effective repair and de-escalation, daily connection rituals, appreciation and admiration culture, alignment on goals and shared meaning.